There's a previous topic where I outlined how my political views evolved from my Dhamma views. You're welcome to see things differently, because unlike you, I actually respect your intellectual autonomy to see things differently.

Is it your contention that Buddhists are not allowed to have conservative or libertarian political views? If so, on what basis, other than your own intolerance?

Metta,
Paul.

I also respect intellectual autonomy

It is not my contention that Buddhists are not allowed to have conservative or libertarian political views.

I just don't think the admin should be posting silly memes and constantly showing his political bias. Do you?

I don't care for either, but particularly the Stalin one. The other appears to me to be just juvenile humour (and poor graphic design), so if one doesn't agree with the sentiment, at one can have at least have a laugh at the shortcomings of
the presentation...

Not when it's posted by the administrator. That's when the fun stops.

FWIW, I also respect the right of each member to make up their own mind and to post freely within the ToS but I believe that a team member's political views should not affect their moderation. As I said earlier - viewtopic.php?f=11&t=31966&start=40#p473501 - the guidelines for posting should be based on the Buddhist fundamentals (compassion, the Precepts, the brahmaviharas, Right Speech). Yes, I know, that should be obvious, but somehow it has been lost.
FWIW, Paul, I also think that your derivation of your political stance from your dhamma views is flawed. I thought so when you explained it but I'm not sure I said so - because, again, you are entirely entitled to your views.

In some cases, perception is more relevant than the underlying reality. If you are unable to maintain a clearly visible separation of your personal views from board policy, I think you need to look at changes.

In some cases, perception is more relevant than the underlying reality. If you are unable to maintain a clearly visible separation of your personal views from board policy, I think you need to look at changes.

Actually, in reality I do maintain a very clear separation of the two, and any inference otherwise is baseless... unless you have any evidence to back up your perceptions, which are apparently more "relevant than the underlying reality"? Interesting...

And you wish to weaponize your unsubstantiated perception in an attempt to force change? Interesting... how "tolerant"?

Honestly, the authoritarianism and intolerance inherent in these false aspersions is disturbing.

As you can see from the poll results and the written responses, there is a diverse range of very disparate views on the matter.

Staff will now reflect on what has been said here and decide whether there are any changes that can and should be made for the betterment of the forum.

However, given the absence of consensus, there's a very real chance that your exact personal preference will not be satisfied by the decisions that are made by Dhamma Wheel staff. I hope that if that is so, that in recognizing that your private position is not the public majority perspective (in fact, there is no majority perspective), that you will at least be tolerant and accepting of whatever decision is made by staff. Please be respectful of that process, and confident that whatever decisions are made by staff, will be made with the benefit of this forum as our utmost priority.

As a reminder, there is currently an easy to use Opt In / Opt Out feature for the News forum, and if you don't like that section, you're more than welcome to avail yourself of the Opt Out function. If you would like to opt out of the Lounge, or any other specific forum, please let admin know and we can arrange that for you.